## California Public Employee Salaries

### Source 

We downloaded the data from the [California State Controller's Office's Public Compensation in California website](http://publicpay.ca.gov/Reports/RawExport.aspx)

### Notes On the Data

Based on conversation and emails w/ CA Secretary of State:

1. How to deal with the pension field:

The pension formula is one component that helps determine the retirement compensation for the employee. Multiplying the final compensation of a worker by the percentage aids in determining the retirement package they receive. For example, if someone’s pension formula is 2%@52 and their final compensation was $50,000, their pension can be calculated by multiplying $50,000 by 2%, or $1000. Other factors, like amount of time in that position, go into determining the final compensation they are entitled to. 

2. Explanation for Negative or 0 Wages:
 
"Some possible reasons for the zero or negative wages reported by the employers are:

1.  Our office requires governing officers to be included in the compensation report even if they received no wages

2. Employees who did not receive any wages during the calendar year but the employer made contributions toward their retirement and/or health, dental, vision plans

3. Retroactive adjustments to pay and/or benefits for employees who were no longer employed by the employer"

### Analyses

See https://github.com/public-salaries/pub_sal_analyses

